Trudging through thorny weeds (to avoid paths), dehydrated, and skin cooked well over-done by the sun’s rays, the woman looked as if she was on her last breath. When bystanders beheld this sad sight, they tried to help her, but the woman always kept her head down and denied any helping hand…until today. A boy came up to her and asked, “Why do you walk off the path?”
The woman stopped and turned to the boy (perfect that she didn’t have to lift her head to talk to an adult…this was the first child that had ever confronted her).
Woman: “Because if I set a foot on the path, it will appear.”
The boy looked at her with big eyes.
Boy: “What will appear?”
Woman: “The mirror.”
Boy: “What is so scary about a mirror?”
Woman: “This mirror reveals more than just a mere image…it shows you all the wrongs you’ve done in the past; unveiling your true self. I have been running from it for quite some time now. I don’t want to be reminded of who I am.”
Boy: “I know what to do! Stay right here.”
The woman usually grew antsy by staying too long in one place, but from pure exhaustion or from meeting a kind child, she decided to stay.
The child came running back with glass cleaner and a rag.
Boy: “I know what to do, I will stand here and wipe away all the wrongs.”
Woman: “Why would you do that for me?”
Boy: “Because no matter what you’ve done, I like you and you are my new friend.”
Woman with tear-filled eyes: “No one has every said that to me before…”
No one ever had, for when people saw the damaged shell she is, they wanted to help her out of pity…and when they learned of her past, they spat at her. No one had ever truly wanted to help her due to liking her.
The boy took the woman’s hand and she allowed him to lead her back on the path. She caught a glimmer behind her, knowing the mirror was there. Looking at the boy, he responded with squeezing her hand and nodding in encouragement.
The woman straightened herself up (with help from the boy) and turned to face the mirror. Sobs from deep within her soul began to shake her body; causing her to use the mirror as balance (thinking the boy had left). She sunk down, letting her hand slide along the full length mirror, when suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder. Looking up and instead of seeing the boy, she saw a man and then she noticed the mirror. The man was taking his pure white sleeve…and wiping her mirror clean! Her past reflections disappeared!
After the man was done, he bent down and got to her level. All the kindness (that was not of this world) was set upon his brow and all the love was in his eyes and all the warmth was in his smile. He helped her stand up and turn facing the mirror.
The man then wrote “I loved you at your darkest, I love you now, and I love the future you. You are loved for you.”
The woman laughed and cried at the same time. She was so joyful! She was free! She was loved. Every time she looked back at the mirror, she saw love.
When she twirled, something caught her eye. The boy was walking toward her.
Boy: “No more fear of the mirror?”
Woman: “Nope. I am free. The man wiped my mirror clean.”
Boy: “Isn’t he nice?! He’s my best friend.”
onthecliffoflife.com 